The Pentagon is investigating a series of freezer malfunctions at U.S. military commissaries in August as a suspected cyberattack. The incidents affected at least six bases and spoiled food after cooling units failed, according to a Reuters report citing four officials familiar with the matter.
The Pentagon said a unit of U.S. Cyber Command was working with interagency and law enforcement partners. The Army Criminal Investigation Division also confirmed that its Cyber Field Office was involved and coordinating with French law enforcement over similar refrigeration outages in Europe.
At Fort Huachuca, Arizona, a freezer reportedly entered defrost mode overnight, raising its temperature and ruining stored food. The malfunctions were not limited to units simply losing power or cooling; investigators are examining whether temperature settings were deliberately changed.
French authorities have separately investigated attacks that altered controls at more than 350 commercial sites, including supermarkets. Some refrigeration units reportedly overheated enough to catch fire. Investigators have not publicly established that the U.S. and French incidents were carried out by the same actor.
Internet-connected refrigeration controllers can create an entry point when they use outdated firmware or remain exposed to external networks. Reuters reported that investigators have not confirmed which controller brands were installed at the affected U.S. bases, so the equipment involved and the precise method of access remain unclear.
The investigation highlights how cyber incidents can affect physical operations and food storage, much like attacks targeting water systems and other critical infrastructure. Officials have not named a suspect or disclosed whether the investigation has reached any conclusions.
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